Help with choosing an all in one system

[chrisw5]

I built a modest 24v off grid system about 12 years ago, with 1.2kW of panels (3s2p), Flooded lead acid batteries and Exceltech inverter. Worked ok for a while, but battery bank gave up the ghost a year or so ago.

I decided I'm going to change up to 48v Lithium system, and ordered 2 GYLL 48v batteries from Signature Solar the other day.

Now I've got to make a final decision on inverter. I'm liking the all in ones out there on the market and the idea I don't need to piece all the components together like I had to in the past. Want to also have ability to use a portable generator to charge the system should grid power fail and inclement weather reduces solar input.

Looking seriously at a Sol-Ark 5k or a GroWatt 6000T DVM.

My main focus is to supply power to critical loads (2 freezers, fridge, internet) and possibly to offset current grid consumption if solar panels are producing excess energy.

Pluses of the Sol-Ark are that it seems very flexible in what it can do and with high efficiency. User interface seems nice. Lots of good reviews on these units. From what I gather this is a high frequency transformerless inverter. Could this have surge issues with the number of fridge/freezers that I have? Minus - I would have to purchase new solar panels to meet the minimum V for operation (150V). Also the inverter is a little spendy.

Pluses for the Growatt - low frequency inverter, lower min solar V to operate. Minus - clunkier user interface, less options for grid tie, and less good info out there that I could find to put my mind at ease to its reliability. Heavy.

Interested in your all's thoughts and if you have any constructive suggestions. Thanks!

 

[wattmatters]

Minus - I would have to purchase new solar panels to meet the minimum V for operation (150V)

Would your 6 panels in series not be enough voltage?

In any case, panels are pretty cheap nowadays.

 

[chrisw5]

Would your 6 panels in series not be enough voltage?

In any case, panels are pretty cheap nowadays.

They are just under the min. Voc for existing panels is 22.5, so the six in series would be 135 V
Agree that panels aren't that big of a factor, other than the pain in the rear of having to get back on my roof and install.

 

[wattmatters]

They are just under the min. Voc for existing panels is 22.5, so the six in series would be 135 V

Bummer.

I have the other problem. My AIO unit has Voc max of 105V, so I am restricted to 2SxP with modern panels. Haven't got my panels yet.

 

[mrzed001]

Growatt is only an off-grid inverter. Sol-ark is a hybrid.
Sol-ark can sell power to utility (with all the paperwork and ....), Growatt can not.
So if you are willing to go all the way, do all the work needed to sell power to utility, then the only choice is Sol-ark.

 

[Haga7584]

Doesn’t the MPP have hybrid models that can sell back to the grid? They’re pretty much the same as growatt. I’m making this same decision myself on which model of growatt and MPP. Solark is priced too high.

 

[chrisw5]

I ended up going with the Sol-Ark 5k. It's a little more expensive, but customer service and a large user base made the difference for me. I don't think the growatt could offset loads not attached to the critical loads panel like the Sol-Ark can. Was briefly considering the Outback Skybox, but it seems like support for that product is lacking.

 

[mrzed001]

Doesn’t the MPP have hybrid models that can sell back to the grid? They’re pretty much the same as growatt. I’m making this same decision myself on which model of growatt and MPP. Solark is priced too high.

There are split phase MPP hybrids but they do not have UL certificate.
Check your local code but I think legally they can not be used to feed back to grid.

 

[Isla]

Fronius is also a best inverter.

 

[Haga7584]

You’re right, the MPP LV6548 is UL listed but can’t sell back to the grid.

so does DMI, from YouTube, not sell back to the grid with his 4 MPP inverters?

 

[mrzed001]

You’re right, the MPP LV6548 is UL listed but can’t sell back to the grid.

so does DMI, from YouTube, not sell back to the grid with his 4 MPP inverters?

Only MPP Solar LV2424 and LVX6048 can sell to grid but they are not UL listed.

DMI system is total off-grid.
Do not even have the utility power connected in this video:

 

[Haga7584]

DMi did get tied to the grid couple weeks ago. I thought he was grid tied on his last house hence the power feedback.

 

[Sanwizard]

There are split phase MPP hybrids but they do not have UL certificate.
Check your local code but I think legally they can not be used to feed back to grid.

The new MPP LVX6048wp is hybrid and UL certified. It has grid tie in the menu.

 

[mrzed001]

The new MPP LVX6048wp is hybrid and UL certified. It has grid tie in the menu.

Yes it is hybrid ... but in the site it does not say that it is UL certified.
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/lvx6048/
So I do not know if you can use it as Grid-tie and sell power to utility.
Maybe with a limiter in the main power line you can produce to the house not protected loads.

The LV6548 is the only where it says: UL1741 compliance (TUV certified) for US markets.
(even there it does not say UL listed ... not from US so I do not know the difference)
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/splitphase-lv6548/

 

[Sanwizard]

Yes it is hybrid ... but in the site it does not say that it is UL certified.
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/lvx6048/
So I do not know if you can use it as Grid-tie and sell power to utility.
Maybe with a limiter in the main power line you can produce to the house not protected loads.

The LV6548 is the only where it says: UL1741 compliance (TUV certified) for US markets.
(even there it does not say UL listed ... not from US so I do not know the difference)
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/splitphase-lv6548/

UL certified for Grid Tie. Its in the menu also.

 

[mrzed001]

UL certified for Grid Tie. Its in the menu also.

I saw this Sol-ark like inverter in the mppsolar.com main page and upcoming soon page https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/comingsoon/ , but nowhere else.
Not in the product or the download section.
And not even in the MPP Solar's official ali page:
https://mppsolar.en.alibaba.com/pro...&spm=a2700.shop_plgr.41413.dtoptab&filter=all

So in the future ...


And in the upcoming section ...
When I was talking to MPP Solar about EU off-grid inverters I was joking that they have
- an MGX with 500Voc MPPT
- an MK (zero transfer time) with a bad 150Voc MPPT
... is there a MKX version maybe ?
Now there will be :D
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/catalogs/5048MKX.pdf

 

[Sanwizard]

I saw this Sol-ark like inverter in the mppsolar.com main page and upcoming soon page https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/comingsoon/ , but nowhere else.
Not in the product or the download section.
And not even in the MPP Solar's official ali page:
https://mppsolar.en.alibaba.com/pro...&spm=a2700.shop_plgr.41413.dtoptab&filter=all

So in the future ...


And in the upcoming section ...
When I was talking to MPP Solar about EU off-grid inverters I was joking that they have
- an MGX with 500Voc MPPT
- an MK (zero transfer time) with a bad 150Voc MPPT
... is there a MKX version maybe ?
Now there will be :D
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/catalogs/5048MKX.pdf

If you look at the specs of the LVX6048wp, it has two 600V MPPT inputs, and is waterproof for outside installs. Its also UL certified, and grid tie capable, so two of them would be very comparable to Sol-Ark 9K.

 

[mrzed001]

If you look at the specs of the LVX6048wp, it has two 600V MPPT inputs, and is waterproof for outside installs. Its also UL certified, and grid tie capable, so two of them would be very comparable to Sol-Ark 9K.

And I hope the price will be the well loved cheap MPP Solar price.

I do not live in the US so the new MKX is what caught my eye. And the new MAX.
Also here is a new limit that allows only 2,5kW Grid-tie inverter in one single phase. So the 5-6 kW 1 phase hybrid models can not be used here any more.

 

[Sanwizard]

And I hope the price will be the well loved cheap MPP Solar price.

I do not live in the US so the new MKX is what caught my eye. And the new MAX.
Also here is a new limit that allows only 2,5kW Grid-tie inverter in one single phase. So the 5-6 kW 1 phase hybrid models can not be used here any more.

Sorry to hear that. I suggest just using the Grid as backup, and generate as much of your own power as possible.
Selling back just makes you subject to their contracts.

 

[mrzed001]

Sorry to hear that. I suggest just using the Grid as backup, and generate as much of your own power as possible.
Selling back just makes you subject to their contracts.

I build a grid-tie and an off-grid (with grid support) system
For now we have system called szaldó (maybe balance in English). So we have only one meter report per year.
In one year we sold X kWh and we bought Y kWh ... and only have to pay for Y-X kWh. Or if we sold more then utility pays for it (a very low cost).

I was waiting for the MK model to arrive in the EU Warehouse. Now I have to wait for the MKX